Sports fan&#39;s noise maker

ABSTRACT

A sports fan&#39;s noise maker that includes a noise making mechanism, said noise making mechanism comprising a disk-shaped outer casing. Contained within the outer casing is a gear with an attached handle, said handle extending outward through an aperture on the bottom of the casing. A striker is attached to the bottom wall of the casing and extends upward and is configured to abut against the gear when the device is rotated. An elongated gripping portion is provided. The gripping portion is formed to represent a miniature football goal post. A miniature football helmet is provided wherein the noise making mechanism is fitted into the headwear.

INTRODUCTORY PORTION

The applicant herein is the same entity as the applicant in U.S. patentapplication bearing Ser. No. 10/437,705 that issued to U.S. Pat. No.6,736,695 B1.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a noise maker for use at sporting events orother mass gatherings. More specifically, the present inventioncomprises noise making mechanism that is enclosed within a helmet orother representation of a team or performer that includes an elongatedhandle portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a popular pastime around the world to attend sporting events orother mass gatherings or performances, and it is frequently the practiceto root for one's favorite team, player or performer and to make as muchnoise as possible. One method of creating noise is by clapping andyelling. Alternatively, to reduce the stress on the vocal cords of thefans, and to increase the volume of the clamor, it has become commonpractice to utilize mechanical noise makers to create the crowd noise.

Moreover, fans like to carry with them objects, be they full sized orminiature, that mimic the equipment used by the players or entertainersor contain the name of the team, or the logo of the team, player orperformer for whom they are rooting. For example, it is common whenattending hockey or football games for members of the crowd to bringalong full sized or miniature articles that are employed in the games.Specifically, miniature hockey stick, helmets, football goalposts, etc.are frequently carried or worn. Moreover, these articles may display thename and/or the logo or insignia of the team or the fan's favoriteplayer or performer.

It would be an advantage to provide a device that can serve as a noisemaker and also serve to the purpose of giving the fan an object to carryinto the event that displays the fan's allegiance to a particular team,player or performer. It would further be advantageous if the object werean implement that is representative of the equipment that is used in thesport, be it full size or in miniature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sports fan's noise maker. Two non-exclusiveembodiments of the noise maker are presented herein: one for use athockey games and one for football games. The noise maker includes anoise making mechanism, said noise making mechanism comprising adisk-shaped outer casing. Contained within the outer casing is a gearwith an attached handle, said handle extending outward through anaperture on the bottom of the casing. A striker is attached to thebottom wall of the casing and extends upward and is configured to abutagainst the gear when the device is rotated.

An elongated gripping portion is provided. In the case of the hockeyembodiment, the gripping portion is formed as a miniature hockey stick.In the case of the football noise maker, the gripping portion is formedto represent a miniature football goal post. In addition, arepresentation of headwear is provided wherein the noise makingmechanism is fitted into the bottom of the headwear. Furthermore, ifdesired, a pennant showing the team colors and/or logo may be attachedto the headwear.

The user can utilize the device by grasping onto the elongated grippingportion. When desired, the user rotates the gripping portion therebytransmitting rotation to the noise making mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made herein tothe following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, consideredin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the present invention noise maker in itsfootball embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view of the present invention noise maker inits football embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded front plan view of the present invention noisemaker in its football embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the present invention noise maker in itshockey embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway view of the present invention noise maker inits hockey embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded front plan view of the present invention noisemaker in its football embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, the present invention is a noise making devicesuitable for use at sporting events, concerts, performances or othersuch mass gatherings. Depicted in the drawings are two embodiments ofthe invention, one for use at football games and one for hockey games.However, it will be understood that the present invention can beutilized at any mass gathering including concerts, performances, plays,recitals, etc. Generally, the noise making device comprises a noisemaking mechanism 12, a helmet or other head gear 14 of the type that anathlete of a particular sport or other performer would wear, and anelongated gripping portion 16. In one embodiment the noise making devicefurther includes a pennant 28 attached to the helmet.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the noise makingmechanism 12 is seen in greater detail. The noise making mechanism 12shown here is a standard off-the-shelf prior art noise making mechanism.It includes a disc-shaped outer casing 18. (Although the casing here isshown as being circular, it need not be. Off-the-shelf noise makingmechanisms in other configurations are suitable.) As shown here, thecasing is formed from metal, but it could be plastic or other suitablematerial. The casing 18 includes an off-center aperture 20 on itsbottom.

A gear 22 having gear teeth is provided and is located within the casing18. The size of the gear is not critical so long as it is smaller thanthe casing thereby allowing free rotation. An elongated handle 24 isfirmly attached to the center of the bottom of the gear. The diameter ofthe handle should be small enough to allow it to fit through theaperture 20. It will be appreciated that in accordance with prior artnoise making devices, the gear is positioned within the casing such thatthe handle protrudes through the aperture. A striker 26 formed from anelongated piece of material is provided. The striker is formed as a flatattachment extending upward from the bottom panel of the casing andshould be flexible enough to permit displacement which it makes contactwith the gear teeth.

An elongated gripping portion 16 is provided, which gripping portion isconnected to the handle portion 24 of the noise making mechanism. In thecase of the football embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1-3, thegripping portion 16 takes the form of a vertical extension that extendsup from the crossbar of a (miniature) football goalpost 26. In the caseof the hockey embodiment of the present invention, the gripping portion16 takes the form of the handle portion of a (miniature) hockey stick.

Further included is a helmet, 14 head wear or other representation ofwhat an athlete or performer would wear. As shown in the embodimentshere, in the football embodiment, the invention includes a miniaturefootball helmet. In the hockey embodiment, the invention includes aminiature hockey helmet. Although shown relative to a sports team, otherembodiments of this invention would include hats or helmets that a stageor recording act or other entertainers might wear. Miniature helmets areusually formed from plastic and often have the insignia of a particularsports team displayed thereon. It is understood that being a helmet orhat, it has an interior portion. Although the invention is shownutilizing a miniature helmet, the invention also encompasses using afull-size helmet, or any other cap having an interior.

The noise making mechanism is attached inside the interior of theminiature helmet as is shown in FIG. 2 for the football embodiment andFIG. 5 for the hockey embodiment. Although not necessary, ideally theexternal circumference of the outer casing 18 of the noise maker ischosen so that it fits snugly inside the underside of the helmet. Ofcourse, so long as the outer casing is smaller than the interior of theunderside of the helmet, it can be configured (e.g. through employmentof spacing bars) to mate with the helmet.

The present invention may also include a pennant 28 affixed to the headwear. The pennant, as indicated herein, may include the team orperformer name, logo or other indicia of the team or performer.

Now, it will be seen that a fan may grasp hold of the knob end of theelongated gripping portion 26. When the user spins the gripping portion,the casing of the noise making device will be caused to rotate, therebycausing the striker to the contact the gear. As such, the noise will beemitted. It is further understood that the helmet will be caused torotate in coordination with the noise making mechanism as they areattached to each other. It is further disclosed that, in the case of thefootball embodiment, the uprights of the football goalposts must besized and configured to permit rotation of the headwear. Moreover, thebanner, if utilized, must be sized and positioned to permit rotation ofthe headwear.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles andpreferred embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, since numerouschanges and modifications will readily occur to one skilled in the art,it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction,operation and embodiment shown and described, and accordingly allsuitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

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 8. A sport's fan's noise making devicecomprising: a football helmet having an interior portion; a spinningnoise maker, said noise maker attached to the interior portion of saidfootball helmet; said noise maker including a case, a gear having ahandle attached to said gear enclosed within said case and a striker;and an elongated gripping portion attached to said handle of said noisemaker, said elongated gripping portion being formed as a football goalpost; wherein a user spins said elongated gripping portion therebycausing said striker to interact with said gear thereby causing saidnoise maker to emit sound.